By definition, a headland suggests distinction, even intrigue: treacherous passage, sheltered cove, advantageous lookout. As a setting for a house, a point is particularly desirable because it offers
both privacy and panorama. So it was understandable that a former sailor and current-day
Boston financial entrepreneur took interest in an
undeveloped promontory on the Rhode Island
coast and was willing to wait patiently for the two
years it took to obtain building approvals before
closing on the land.

“It’s a spectacular property,” says the homeowner. “It was totally overgrown when we first
saw it — difficult to even
walk the perimeter because
of wetlands restrictions, but
we realized that we could
situate a house oriented to
the view.” And so the wish list
began to take shape as he and
his wife made a napkin sketch
of a casual coastal house with
a great room gathering space at its center, plenty
of porches, and a whimsically shaped octagonal
room.

Then, long before any actual building
took place, they called Ted Goodnow, founder
and owner of Woodmeister Master Builders in
Holden, Massachusetts. “We managed all the
permitting, so we were involved before they even
bought the property,” says Goodnow. Interior
designer Wendy Valliere of Seldom Scene
Interiors of Stowe, Vermont, and Nantucket,
Massachusetts, who had worked with the clients
before, was also involved early on and became
a driving force for the project. As soon as the
approval for a five-bedroom house came through,
the land deal closed.

the octagonal all-season porch (screened in
summer, windowed in winter) features a
heart-pine coffered ceiling with bead-board
inserts and a mahogany floor laid in a grid
pattern that mimics the coffers. The antique
wicker furniture and twig chandelier set a
rustic tone. The blue plaid sofa and chair are
upholstered with indoor-outdoor fabric.